February 15, 2012, The New York Times ran an article about Arcosanti. The impetus was Soleri’s retirement and his successor, Jeff Stein. (I blogged about this in the summer. Way to be on top of it, Times.)
It’s a fair article that is a retread of what has been written about Arcosanti and Soleri for the last 30 years. There is one shining paragraph. The last one.
For decades now, visitors have asked what it would take to finish Arcosanti. Maybe it’s time for a different question. Why doesn’t everyone choose to live this way?
“This way” is described in the previous paragraph or two, but basically “this way” is an existence where the important thing is frugal living and community building and not conspicuous consumption. After reading this article, I was reminded of one of my first interactions with anyone at Arcosanti.
I had exchanged a couple of emails with Stefan, the PR person at the time, and we scheduled a phone meeting. I called and went to voice mail. I was slightly miffed.
Stefan emailed me back a few hours later and apologized. He was having a crazy day in the Arcosanti office, he told me, and needed to get out and do something with his hands so he went to work in the garden.
I was no longer miffed. I was, instead, very envious. I was at the time spending three days a week working in an office in Tribeca, sitting at a desk under a bank of fluorescent lights. To be able to leave for a couple of hours during my 9 to 5 office routine to work in the community garden seemed like not only would it do me a world of good, but would do my employers, the garden, and the community a world of good, too.
Why doesn’t everyone choose to live that way?
I know, it’s a naïve question. Still, it would be nice, wouldn’t it?
Haroon
That reminds me of the time I visited. I met this cool dude named Guy (a guy named Guy) who took my friends and me on a tour of the place. He kept telling me all the work that needed to be done here and there and showed me all the places that required constant attention. The proposed vineyard still had tons of more work to do and the heating tunnel that took sunlight from the north and south needed a constant upkeep. I asked him “when do you think this place will be finished?” and he gave me a sort of confused look. He never thought about “finishing” the place, it was just all about living a certain way. If it never finished and people worked on it forever, Arcosanti would still be complete.
Haroon
Also reminds me of Plato’s Republic. When the philosophers are discussing what would be the perfect city, they make it very clear that the entire city, especially the working location of the ruling politicians, must be covered in gardens and greenery. They insisted on natural beauty to calm the soul. Maybe a day in the garden is all congress really needs.
David Licata
Really wonderful comments, Haroon. I think you’re spot on on both counts. And good to see you here again.
Rock on.
Scot Siegel
I like how your blog extends the Times article in that way only well crafted blog can do; it takes a fine piece of professional journalism and makes it personal, it makes it real. Thanks for posting this.
jamie newton
I only really have seconds to add: second on your comments, David, about Haroon’s – wonderful – and on Scot’s about your post – very nice indeed.
David Licata
Scot and Jamie,
You guys are the best! Thanks for checking out the blog and checking in with your comments.
Hope you’re both doing great.
David